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Saturday, January 30, 2010

Cowboy Lovin' Day 30: A Personal Thank You


Okay - so we've talked quite a bit this month about why cowboy heroes are so great. There's a few things I'd like to say before the party ends tomorrow. First of all, thank you to all the Cowboy Lovin' guest authors who have brought their love of western romance and cowboy heroes here to The Cozy Page. And I think I can speak for every single one of you and every other western romance author out there, thank you to the readers. If it weren't for your continued love and revival of the genre, we'd be lost. It's an honor to share our stories with all of you. Finally, a personal thank you to all the readers who participated in my first major blog event. You made every moment special - even those of you who just lurked. (Yes, I know you're there ;) You've made the start to the new year truly amazing!

While parading around the web in my cowgirl boots and my western frame of mind, a few interesting articles caught my eye. One especially on target was New York Times bestselling historical romance author Eloisa James's eloquent blog piece "Way, Way Out West" on Barnes & Noble's Reading Romance. She not only recommends great "cowboy" titles, she pinpoints that X-factor of a true cowboy hero - the one that keeps us readers coming back for more. A must-read....

While trying to make an early dent in my 2010 reading list, I came across my copy of Jillian Hart's Homespun Bride - an inspirational western romance. It isn't often that I read inspirational romance. However, I couldn't resist the western aspect of this one - or, of course, the cowboy hero. It's been a WHILE since a story has brought me to tears and left me as satisfied. I loved it so much, I plan on reading the first book in the series His Hometown Girl, as well as the close tie-in to Homespun - High Country Bride. Another recommended read...


And I can't recommend the Wayback, TX series enough - not just because I am a part of it. While researching the town of Wayback for Blackest Heart, I was incredibly intimidated by the first stories in the line-up: Rita Thedford's Hot Night in the Blue Bug Saloon and Judith Rochelle's Shadow of the Hawk. Thank you to all the Wayback authors who joined the fun here at Cozy. You are all amazing champions of the genre and an inspiration to me and so many other newbies :) Readers who would like to read the series in its entirety, refer to editor Spencer Glenn's January 11th post....
If you're still hungry for eye candy, Smart Bitches Trashy Books recently featured a Harlequin cover shoot documentary that features...you guessed it: cowboys! The videos are so worth the procrastination time, LOL
This month several of Cozy's guest authors talked about that iconic cowboy hero. Bonanza came up in many Cowboy Lovin' posts. On January 25th, star of Bonanza Pernell Roberts passed away. I think it's only right to take a moment here at Cozy to acknowledge this rugged cowboy's passing.

Since this month was such a blast, I'm planning another party soon here at Cozy. Probably late spring or over the summer. I've mentioned before that 2009 rejuvenated my love of historical romance and it also marked the publication of my first historical - Forever Amore. Any of you readers up for a little Historical Lovin'? Stay tuned for news on that and the launch of Bet It On My Heart in March....

There's still time to enter Christine Columbus's giveaway for a free paperback western romance. And tomorrow is the last day of Cowboy Lovin' and we're going out with a real treat: our last surprise guest author! See ya on the flipside!

5 comments:

susan said...

I love cowboys and books are great. I can get carried away by any cowboy. Yes, guess you can say I am easy. ha ha Happy to be here and would love a print book ..I am keeping my fingers crossed. susan L.

Becky said...

I have read Jillian Hart's Homespun Bride too. I loved that story myself. I have also read all the other books in the series His Hometown Girl. I really did enjoy Jillian's stories.

Amber Leigh Williams said...

Susan - I'm easy, too, as far as cowboy heros are concerned. I'm glad you're enjoying Cowboy Lovin'!

Becky - thank you for the recommendation on Jillian's work. I definitely have to order more of this series :)

Stacey Joy Netzel said...

Thanks back at you for having us, Amber! What an awesome month!! So many great books...so little darn time.

Margaret Tanner said...

I might live in Australia but I love cowboys books. Nothing like a good Western to keep me enthralled.
Regards
Margaret